Context & Background
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and 21 EU Commissioners are visiting India for two days.
- The visit aims to strengthen EU-India ties amidst shifting U.S. foreign policy, particularly on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- The trip is termed “unprecedented” by the EU, as such a large delegation has never traveled together to any country before.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)
Key Issues & Developments
Impact of U.S. Foreign Policy Changes
- Donald Trump’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war has caused concerns in Europe.
- The U.S. recently opposed an EU-backed UN resolution calling for Russian troop withdrawal.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is negotiating with Trump on a ceasefire proposal.
EU-India Relations & Strategic Focus
- The visit seeks to reset EU-India ties, which have been overshadowed by the Ukraine conflict.
- No EU-India annual summit has taken place since 2020, though a Leaders’ Summit was held in 2021.
- A formal EU-India summit is planned for later in 2025.
Trade & Economic Cooperation
- EU-India Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) negotiations, relaunched in 2022, remain stuck over tariff issues on cars, wine, spirits, and non-tariff barriers.
- The visit aims to provide political momentum before the next round of trade talks (March 10-14 in Brussels).
- The Trade and Technology Council (TTC) will discuss AI policies, semiconductors, quantum computing, and green technology.
EU’s Stance on Russia-Ukraine & India’s Position
- The EU imposed its 16th round of sanctions on Russia.
- Despite U.S. policy shifts, the EU remains committed to enforcing sanctions.
- India, which has rejected sanctions and increased Russian oil imports, is unlikely to alter its stance.
Geopolitical Implications
- Discussions will cover the EU-India Strategic Roadmap (2020-2025), with a focus on Indo-Pacific cooperation.
- The timing of the visit is crucial ahead of the March 6 extraordinary European summit.
